BOARD OF SKAMANIA COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

Meeting for Week of January 30, 2007

 

A special meeting was held on Monday, January 29, 2007 beginning at 1:15 p.m. and ending at 2:45 p.m., with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present for the purpose of participating in a staff workshop to discuss the legislative agenda.  No action taken as a result of the workshop.

 

The meeting was called to order at 10:05 a.m. Tuesday, January 30, 2007 at the Commissioner’s Meeting Room, 240 NW Vancouver Avenue in Stevenson, with Commissioners Paul Pearce, Chair, James D. Richardson and Jamie Tolfree present, opening with the Pledge of Allegiance.

 

Commissioner Pearce gave an update on options for use of the old jail space in the Sheriff’s Office building for the expansion of District Court.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve the Consent Agenda as follows:

1.       Minutes for week of January 23, 2007.

2.       Certification of 2007 Road Levy & Estimated Revenue Produced.

3.       Agreement with National Association of Counties to provide a Prescription Drug Card Discount Program for County residents.

4.       Contract with Clean World Maintenance, Inc to provide custodial services for Courthouse building.

5.       Contract renewal with Skamania County Fair Board to provide services for 2007 Skamania County Fair and Timber Carnival.

6.       Contract renewal with Associated Counselors, Inc to provide mental health treatment and crisis services.

 

Richard Robinson, Public Works Project Engineer reported on Public Works, Road Department, Solid Waste, Building Department, engineering, surveying/right of way, bridges, and equipment and rental revolving fund.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to approve a 2.5% wage adjustment to the 2007 salary schedule for non-bargaining employees, effective January 1, 2007.

 

Linda Schneider, Director of Washington Gorge Action Programs (WGAP), gave an update on programs and services provided by WGAP; advised of a new branch office in Stevenson located at 25 Second Street, staffed by Jan Pearo, open on Wednesdays and Fridays from 8:00 a.m. until 4:30 p.m.; and presented a summary of Skamania County Ten-Year Homeless Housing Plan.

 

The meeting recessed at 10:45 a.m. Tuesday, January 30, 2007 and reconvened at 11:00 a.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve 13th month vouchers for the period ending December 31, 2006 in the total amount of $248,006.90.

 

Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve vouchers for the period ending January 30, 2007 in the total amount of $69,772.19.

 

The meeting recessed at 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, January 30, 2007 and reconvened at 1:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

A public hearing was held to consider Resolution 2007-01 amending the Public Participation Program (PPP) for Comprehensive Plan updates and development regulation changes related to the 2006-2008 Critical Areas Update.  Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director gave a staff report and advised that Skamania County is required to review and update, if necessary, its Comprehensive Plan and development regulations to be consistent and in continued compliance with the Growth Management Act only for Critical Areas.  She advised of a three-year extension to the deadline for completion granted by the Legislature, and of the need to amend the PPP to allow additional time necessary for the County to complete the Comprehensive Plan updates and development regulation changes related to the 2006-2008 Critical Areas Update.  Comments from the public included a request to consider the Critical Areas update simultaneously or prior to the Swift Subarea Plan and support for amending the PPP.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to approve Resolution 2007-01 as presented.

 

 The meeting recessed at 2:00 p.m. Tuesday, January 30, 2007 and reconvened at 2:30 p.m. the same date, with Commissioners Pearce, Richardson and Tolfree present.

 

A public hearing was held, continued from December 21, 2006, to consider Ordinance 2006-15 adopting new Chapter 6.12 to Skamania County Code entitled Right To Farm to promote and protect agriculture and farm forestry and its dependent rural communities; and to recognize and encourage subsistence farming on all parcels of land within Skamania County.  Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to acknowledge receipt of letters from Frank Backus, Chief Forester for SDS Lumber Company, Lynn Bergeron, Bruce Bolme, and Sally Newell.  Karen Witherspoon, Planning and Community Development Director gave a staff report and advised of text changes from the December 21, 2006 hearing.  Comments from the public included support for and opposition of the ordinance, and a request from Frank Backus to include a definition of forest land in Section 6.12.030, add a new paragraph to Section 6.12.040 Policy on Agricultural Nuisances to include forestry, and add a new paragraph to Section 6.12.050 Recommended Practices to include forest use.  The hearing was closed to public comment.  Commissioner Richardson moved, seconded by Commissioner Tolfree and motion carried unanimously to insert language submitted by Frank Backus, accept RCW citations submitted from Mary Repar, and continue the hearing to 1:30 p.m. Tuesday, February 27, 2007.

 

Commissioner Tolfree moved, seconded by Commissioner Richardson and motion carried unanimously to authorize the Chair to sign a letter to Nancy Ryke, Mt. Adams District Ranger regarding possible removal of the wireless broadband antenna from the Forest Service’ telephone building at the Wind River site.

 

The Board advised they would be attending the Washington State Association of Counties Legislative Rally in Olympia the remainder of the week. 

 

The meeting adjourned at 3:00 p.m. Thursday, January 30, 2007.

 

BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

SKAMANIA COUNTY, WASHINGTON